April 9, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) — South Sudan holdout opposition forces commanded by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka have attacked twice a SPLM-IO garrison in Yei River Country today, a spokesman for the main armed opposition group, now a part of the government, said this evening.
Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO deputy spokesman said Cirilo’s forces attacked their base during the early hours of today and they were repulsed before attacking again in which they were defeated again.
“Today the 09/04/2020 at about 6:00AM, the forces of NAS loyal to Thomas Cirillo Swaka attacked the defensive position of the SPLA-IO Div. 2B in Kinyira, Yei County. The clashes lasted for two hours after which they were repulsed,” Lam said.
T”he same date at about 12:00PM, NAS forces attacked the same SPLA-IO base in Kinyira again and were also repulsed,” he added.
He said the attacks tantamount to declaration of war against the SPLA-IO which is now a part of the revitalized unity government as provided for in the revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018.
“This is a clear sign of declaration of war against the SPLA-IO by NAS TC forces at the time when South Sudanese are begining to have hope of peace and stability through the implementation of the R-ARCSS,” Lam said.
“The SPLA-IO forces in Central Equatoria are therefore, asked to be vigilant of surprise attacks from NAS TC while we continue to implement the Security Arranegment,” he further stressed.
